Prefabricated building



PREFABRICATED BUILDING Filed Jan. 25, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l m FIG.

ATTORNEYS Oct. 17, 1967 v. SMITH v 3,347,000

PREFABRICATED BUILDING Filed Jan. 25, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i p ""i INVENTOR.

vms SMITH ATTORNEYS 3,347,000 Patented st. 17, 1967 This invention relates generally to building structures, and has particular reference to a prefabricated building having a novel support framework of pyramidal contour.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a building which can be fabricated of relatively simple component parts, which can be erected expeditiously and at low cost with a minimum of labor, and which is admirably suitable to serve as a lodging unit, a vacation house, an eating or recreation establishment, or for a number of other purposes.

A more particular objective is to provide a structure which is sturdy and capable of serving as a permanent building, which lends itself to the utilization of modern structural components and equipment, and whose walls can if desired be made of material able to withstand heat or cold.

Another object is to provide a prefabricated house whose interior may be readily subdivided in various ways depending upon requirements and choice, and which can be satisfactorily heated or air-conditioned if desired by installation of conventional modern appliances and equipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure of the character described, whose exterior can be readily designed to withstand severe weather and climatic conditions, and which will nevertheless present a pleasing and aesthetically attractive appearance.

A characterizing feature of the invention resides in the employment of a pyramidal frame composed of obliquely arranged columns pivotally anchored at their lower ends and converging upward to an apex. The columns are preferably four in number and are symmetrically associated so that the frame is a rectangular, preferably substantially square, pyramid with its apex centered above a suitable floor at or close to ground level.

In accordance with the invention, a set of beams is associated with the columns at a first level above the floor, to define a rectangular frame lying in a horizontal plane; and vertical walls extend downwardly from this frame to the floor to define an enclosure for a rectangular interior space. Above the level of the beams referred to, there are trapezoidal walls extending between the columns to enclose a frusto-pyramidal interior space above the rectangular space. The upper edges of the trapezoidal walls lie in a horizontal plane at a second level above the fioor, but appreciably below the pyramid apex, and a roof, preferably at least partially translucent, spans these edges to complete the enclosure of the space beneath.

The vertical and trapezoidal walls are composed of separate prefabricated sections or panels, and can include any desired or required window, door, access, or other openings. The walls may be optionally provided with any selected type of permanent or changeable screening, or protective glass, plastic, or other structural material. The vertical walls preferably are supported on rails, and at least some sections are slidably adjustable.

A related objective of the invention is to provide an improved interconnection between horizontal beams and inclined structural elements, exemplified in the pyramidal building referred to, by the connection between the corners of the horizontal frames and the upwardly converging columns to which they are attached. The invention provides a simplified articulation that permits the desired interconnections to be achievedquickly and without special tools or equipment. This feature of the invention has wider applicability in the structural field than buildings of the specific character to which the main objectives of the invention are directed.

One way of achieving these various objects and advantages, and other benefits hereinafter to be pointed out, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a building embodying the features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational cross-section substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional View, showing the articulation of parts at the apex;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the end of a beam that may be employed;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a detail of the articulation along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section on line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view along line S8 of FIG. 2.

The main supporting frame of the structure shown consists of four tubular elements or columns 10, each an chored at its lower end to a suitably prepared footing 11. These footings may be part of a horizontal floor 12 or they may be separate anchorages at or about the level of the floor. The floor 12 may be of any suitable kind, preferably a wooden flooring or deck mounted in known fashion upon floor joists which may be supported, in turn, upon concrete or other suitable foundations. The details of this flooring have not been illustrated, since such structures are well-known. It should be noted, however, that if the footings 11 are secured to or mounted on such a flooring, tension rods or their equivalents are desirable, extending in directions which help to resist the outward thrusts imposed by the Weight of the building upon the lower ends of the column elements 10.

The elements 10 are preferably composed of tubular aluminum or the like. For convenience they may if desired be formed of sections telescopically fitted together in any suitable manner, as indicated for example at 13 in FIG. 6.

While the invention is not restricted to any particular set of dimensions, a better understanding of its general nature will be obtained by noting that the structure depicted herein utilizes columnar elements 10 which are about 24 feet long, the footings 11 being located at the four corners of a square about 26 feet on each side.

The upper ends of the columns 10 are pivotally articulated to a cross-shaped harness 14 (FIGS. 3 and 4) by pivot pins or equivalent bolts 15 or the like. The harness 14- preferably includes a horizontal cover plate 16 which rigidifies it and serves as a convenient support for a peakshaped protective shield 17. The harness 14 and peak shield 17 may be composed of aluminum, steel, or any other appropriate structural material.

The erection of the pyramidal frame is a simple matter, if the parts are composed of light-weight stock two men can accomplish it in a very short time. One way is to anchor each of two adjacent columns to their respective footings, the columns thereby being pivotally arranged with respect to the floor 12. The upper ends of all columns, while lying on the floor or ground, are then connected to the harness 14; the two remaining columns are then maneuvered to serve as props to elevate the apex, and this brings their lower ends into positions adjacent to their footings where final anchorage connections are made. The structure is unusually staunch and rigid and well-suited .to support the structural parts that enclose the interior spaces.

The interior of the building consists of a lower rectangular space and an upper frusto-pyramidal space. The

upper end of the rectangular space, and the upper end of the frusto-pyramidal space above it, define first and second levels above the floor at which horizontal structural frames are secured. These frames are designated 18 and 19 in FIG. 2. Each of these frames is predicated upon a rigid interconnection, at their ends, of four beams (e.g., I-beams of aluminum) to define a rectangle. Each rectangle is rigidly secured at its corners to the main columns of the structure.

One way of achieving the desired interconnections is shown in FIGS. -7. A slot is formed on the inner surface of each column 10, and a web 22 is inserted into it and secured toit as by welding. The web 22 lies in a vertical plane, and the edge 23 within the column is slanted to conform to the slant of the column itself. The projecting parts of the webs 22 at the first level serve as anchorages for the frame 18, and the projecting parts of the corresponding webs at the second level support the frame 19. The interconnection means shown in FIGS. 5- 7 is illustrative of all of them.

As indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the web 22 is connected at its exposed end to a pair of plates 24 which sandwich the web between them. The plates 24 extend beyond the.

end of the web 22 and are adapted to sandwich between them one arm of a cross-shaped connector unit 25. This unit comprises four fins at right angles to each other, provided with a pair of diagonally disposed horizontal pins 26 within each angle. The free edges of plates 24 are provided with downwardly extending notches 27 into which the pins 26 on the near side of the connector can fit. The pins 26 on the far side are engaged, in turn, by upwardly extending notches 28 (FIG. 5) on the ends of a pair of l-beams 29. To facilitate this connection, each I-beam end is provided with a V-shaped extension 30, the arms of the V lying in vertical planes at right angles to each other and at 45 angles to the web 31 of the I-bearn.

In assembling the parts, a connector unit 25 is readily hooked onto the notched edge of each pair of plates 24, and the I-beams 29 are then hooked onto the connector, thus establishing an interconnection of the desired kind.

Each rectangular frame, composed of four I-bea-ms 29, or equivalent girders or elements, may be reinforced in any desired known manner, and serves as a base for supporting a floor on its upper face, a ceiling on its lower face, or other building parts or equipment. A floor 34 is indicated in FIG. 2. A ceiling beneath it is also preferably provided. On the lower side of the frame 18 a marginal eaves layer 35 is supported.

Extending vertically downward fromthe frame 18 are vertical walls 32, three of which are shown in FIG. 2. These walls are composed of separate prefabricated sections and are preferably supported on rails 36 and 37 mounted on the floor 12 and the eaves layer 35 (see FIG. 8). At least some of these sections 33 are located in parallel spaced-apart planes so as to be slidably adjustable with respect to one another and thereby provide access to the building.

Extending between the frames 18 and 19 and between each pair of adjacent columns 10 is a trapezoidal Wall 38 (FIGS. 1 and 2). These walls may be secured in place by any suitable means. For example, each wall.38 may be fastened, near its lower edge, to the eaves layer 35 and/ or the floor 34 by suitable angle brackets. Similarly, the wall may be fastened, near its upper edge to a frame 39 supported upon the frame 19. Furthermore, suitable L- shaped brackets fastened to and extending along the columns 10 may be used to secure the lateral edges of the walls 38 to their respective columns. Although, in the drawings, each trapezoidal wall 33 is shown as a one piece element, each wall may comprise two or more panels which are smaller and therefore easier to handle than the one-piece walls.

Mounted upon the frames 39 and 19 is a roof 4%. The roof is preferably a one-piece element of translucent plasinstall, and once in place allows light from outside the,

building to contribute to the illumination within the building.

If desired, a stringer or beam (not shown) may be mounted between one pair of opposed beams 29 of the frame 18-, the stringer preferably extending parallel to the other pair of opposed beams. The stringer, together with one of the beams to which it is parallel and a portion of each beam to which it is secured, defines a rectangular frame, spaced above the floor and of smaller area than the floor of the building, for supporting a balcony.

The invention has been shown and described in preferred form only, and by way of example, and many variations may be made in the invention which will still be comprised within its spirit. It is understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment except insofar as such limitations are included in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A building comprising (a) ahorizontal fioor,

(b) column elements pivotally anchored at their lower ends and converging upward to define a pyramidal frame whose apex is above said floor,

(0) beams extending between adjacent column elements in a horizontal plane at a first level above said floor,

(d) vertical walls extending between said beams and floor to form an enclosure,

(e) trapezoidal walls extending in upwardly convergent planes between adjacent column elements above said first level, the upper edges of said trapezoidal walls lying in a horizontal plane at a second level above said floor, and

(f) a roof for said enclosure spanning the upper edges of said trapezoidal walls,

(g) said vertical walls, trapezoidal .walls, and roof being composed of separate prefabricated sections.

2. A building as defined in claim 1, in which the column elements are four in number and the pyramid is a rectangular one symmetrical about its vertical axis.

3. A building as defined in claim 1, in which the column elements are composed of telescopically connected sections.

4. A building as defined in claim 1, in which there are rails on the floor directly beneath said beams, respectively, and in which said vertical walls are composed of separate panels supported on said rails.

5. A building as defined in claim 4, in which there are complementary rails on selected beams, at least some of said vertical wall panels being mounted on said beam and floor rails for sliding horizontal movement.

6. A building as defined in claim 2, in which there is at least one stringer extending between a parallel pair of said beams, and a balcony supported on said stringer and of less area than of said floor.

7. A building as defined in claim 6, in which the roof comprises a translucent area adapted to contribute to the illumination of the enclosure and balcony.

8. An arrangement for interconnecting a column and a beam comprising a connector unit secured to the column and including at least two mutually perpendicular fins, at least one pin extending diagonally across the angle between said fins and secured to said fins, and a V-shaped extension formed on the beam having arms perpendicular to each other so that said extension can fit snugly into the angle between said fins, and at least one inclined notch in each arm, said notches terminating at the same point at the apex of said extension, whereby when said extension is fitted into the angle between said fins said connection between the column and beam.

9. An arrangement as defined in claim 8 wherein said connector unit is a cross-shaped element having four fins, each fin being perpendicular to its adjacent fin, and at least one pin extending diagonally across the angle between each pair of adjacent fins, whereby two beams each having a V-shaped extension can be supported on said connector unit in mutually perpendicular relation.

10. An arrangement as defined in claim 9 including means for securing said connector unit to the column comprising a web projecting from the column, a plate secured to each face of said web and having a free end extending beyond the end of the web, at least one inclined notch in the free end of plate, said notches being in alignment, whereby one fin of said connector unit can be fitted between the free ends of said plates so that the pin secured to each side of said one fin fits into said notch in its respective plate to thereby support said connector unit on said plates.

References Cited FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner. R. A. STENZEL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A BUILDING COMPRISING (A) A HORIZONTAL FLOOR, (B) COLUMN ELEMENTS PIVOTALLY ANCHORED AT THEIR LOWER ENDS AND CONVERGING UPWARD TO DEFINE A PYRAMIDAL FRAME WHOSE APEX IS ABOVE SAID FLOOR, (C) BEAMS EXTENDING BETWEEN ADJACENT COLUMN ELEMENTS IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE AT A FIRST LEVEL ABOVE SAID FLOOR, (D) VERTICAL WALLS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID BEAMS AND FLOOR TO FORM AN ENCLOSURE, (E) TRAPEZOIDAL WALLS EXTENDING IN UPWARDLY CONVERGENT PLANES BETWEEN ADJACENT COLUMN ELEMENTS ABOVE SAID FIRST LEVEL, THE UPPER EDGES OF SAID TRAPEZOIDAL WALLS LYING IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE AT A SECOND LEVEL ABOVE SAID FLOOR, AND (F) A ROOF FOR SAID ENCLOSURE SPANNING THE UPPER EDGES OF SAID TRAPEZOIDAL WALLS, (G) SAID VERTICAL WALLS, TRAPEZOIDAL WALLS, AND ROOF BEING COMPOSED OF SEPARATE PREFABRICATED SECTIONS. 